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To educate grades 2-6 youth about Japanese and Japanese American culture through hands on activities

What is Suzume no Gakkou?

Suzume no Gakkou is a summer camp for local youngsters sponsored by the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Citizens League. This parent participation program will
offer kids who are entering the second grade through the sixth grade a
week of fun and friendship with hands on and minds on activities that
will share Japanese and Japanese American experiences Suzume no Gakkou is a cherished Japanese song about little sparrows who go to school. We will start each day with a group exercise that will sharpen your mind and body for exiting Japanese heritage lessons through arts and crafts, music, and sports. Our daily summer story time will teach youngsters about the Japanese culture, the Internment Camp, and poetry through books like The Bracelet, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, Wabi Sabi, and How Baseball Saved Us. Kids will learn useful Japanese phrases and words, create and express themselves through block printing, daruma, ceramics, origami, games, and more. Nancy Gohata is planning for a music component each day. A multigenerational group will go via metro to the Japanese American National Museum to experience a taiko drum workshop. Children will be able to make a red daruma doll that represents the "never give up" spirit of gaman. Grandparents are welcome to help the children along with their parents!

The SFVJACL started Suzume no Gakkou more than 17 years ago and are ready for a new generation who thirsts for knowledge and exploration about their ancestry.

When and where does Suzume no Gakkou meet?

We will host a orientation meeting at the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center on May 29 at 6pm with refreshments. For directions, please visit our JACC page.

Our program commences June 16 and concludes June 20. We meet at the Japanese Language Institute at the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center in Pacoima. For more information on the schedule, visit our calendar of events and programs pages.

What are the registration costs?

We charge $75 per child. Please visit our registration page for more information on fees, forms you'll need to fill out and to download an orientation packet.

Who are the instructors?

We have a talented group of teachers who have a long history of working students and cultural heritage including Nancy Gohata, Paul Jonokuchi, Mitzi Kushida, Jane Nishii, Phil Shigekuni, Linda Tanaka, and Nancy Oda. For the complete roster, visit our staff page.